BTC
+0.07%
84,386.00
USD
▲
MXN ≈ 1,496,599
cnbc.com
Mark Zuckerberg debuts $1,299 Meta VR Glasses and Muse Charm pendant as part of AI agent push
At Meta Connect, CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed new VR Glasses and the Muse Charm gadget for AI agents.
cnbc.com
Trump, Xi to talk Taiwan, AI, trade and Iran as DC summit kicks off
Trump greeted China's Xi at Joint Base Andrews, marking the U.S. president's first time traveling to the facility to welcome a foreign leader.
cnbc.com
Oracle sends 'force majeure' notice about data center project — stock sinks 5%
Oracle is reportedly looking to delay payment on Project Jupiter if it the data center fails to come online in 2028
theguardian.com
UK interest rate rise ‘increasingly likely’ with high energy prices; inflation fears hit bonds – business live
BoE deputy governor cites risks from energy prices, as US 30-year bond yields hits highest since 2004Newsflash: A Bank of England deputy governor is warning that interest rates will be raised, if necessary, to combat the risk of persistent inflationary pressures from higher oil prices.Clare Lombardelli is telling the Sixth Biennial Conference on Macroeconomic Policy in Warsaw that the energy shock due to the conflict in the Middle East is likely to keep pushing UK inflation higher in the coming months.Strong demand for AI components is already pushing up global export prices and weather-related shocks add upside risks. On the other hand, trade diversion is reducing inflation.The longer higher energy prices persist, the greater the risk that indirect effects build and that inflation expectations, wage bargaining and price-setting behaviour begin to adjust in response.On that basis, policy is increasingly likely to need to tighten if elevated energy prices persist, absent clear evidence of disinflation or weaker activity. But this is by no means suggesting that monetary policy should respond mechanically to movements in energy prices. The key issue is not the spot price of energy itself but the interaction of the underlying economy, higher energy prices, and the nature of their transmission. That, ultimately, is what will determine whether Bank Rate needs to rise. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Rogue OpenAI agent 'infiltrated' Australian government website in world first
Australia criticised OpenAI for taking "too long" to tell them about the breach which happened in June.
cnbc.com
30-year Treasury yield hits highest level since 2004 as bond market rout continues
U.S. Treasury yields continued their upward momentum after hitting a 19-year high on Wednesday.
bbc.co.uk
Reported assaults on Britain's rail services rise by more than a third
Recorded incidents of violence and harassment against passengers and rail workers showed a sharp increase in the year to March.
cnbc.com
Hyundai expected to outsell Ford in third quarter as Detroit automakers lack hybrids
Cox analysts said Ford and General Motors are seeing sales lag because they don't have many hybrid vehicles.
theguardian.com
Firms fined £1.3m after man killed by falling window from luxury property in London
Mick Ferris was crushed to death when the 130kg pane fell 26 storeys from the Corniche housing developmentTwo companies have been fined a total of £1.3m over health and safety breaches after a coach driver was killed by a falling window pane.Mick Ferris, 53, was crushed when a window fell 26 storeys from the Corniche, a luxury development in Vauxhall, London, on 2 October 2018. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
White House still blocks some reporters despite judge's order lifting Trump ban
District Judge Tim Kelly said the three outlets should have their access immediately restored from the ban the president had announced on Sept. 18.
theguardian.com
TikTok drops appeal against £12.7m fine for not keeping under-13s off platform
UK watchdog fined video app in 2023 for failing to enforce minimum age limit and remove underage usersTikTok will pay a £12.7m fine to the UK’s data watchdog after dropping an appeal against a ruling that it did not do enough to keep children below the age of 13 off the platform.The video app was punished by the Information Commissioner’s Office in 2023 for inadequate checks of who was using the platform, and failing to remove underage users. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
EU says Trump plan to ban US diesel exports would ‘negatively impact both sides’
US president’s suggested 90-day export ban before midterm elections could bring even higher fuel prices across EuropeBusiness live – latest updatesThe EU has warned Donald Trump against plans to ban US diesel exports to the global market, saying the move would negatively affect Europe and the US.The European Commission has reacted with “concern” to reports this week that the US president could prevent diesel from reaching the global market. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
What really happened in the room with Burnham and Trump – podcast
Pippa Crerar had a front row seat for the PM’s first meeting with Donald Trump. What really happened during that 12-minute press conference? And as the Labour conference kicks off this weekend, she and Kiran Stacey discuss the ethics of journalist-politician karaokePlease keep sending your comments and questions to Pippa and Kiran on politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.comWatch this episode and subscribe to our YouTube channel here Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Big business warns Trump against diesel export ban in joint letter
The national average for a gallon of diesel reached $6.51 on Thursday, nearly $3 more than the same period a year ago, according to data from AAA.
cnbc.com
China confirms first AI talks with U.S. have taken place, hints at trade truce extension
Chinese confirmation of the AI discussions came just hours before President Xi Jinping was scheduled to begin talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.
theguardian.com
Price hikes, ads and lower quality: has ‘streamflation’ ruined the TV experience?
US consumers are starting to opt out of the streaming world as several services raise prices without offering many perksIt may not be quite as politically buzzy as the price of gasoline or eggs, but another household expense is going up for millions of people. Disney has brought the price-gouging experience of its theme park home again by raising the prices of most iterations and bundles of its Disney+ and Hulu streaming services. Whether you pay to watch them with or without ads, separately or bundled together, you’re probably getting a price hike of a couple of bucks per month. The few bundles that will remain the same price feature ad-supported versions of both services (plus ESPN). Don’t worry, though; paying extra to avoid the ad-supported versions of those services won’t mean that you’re missing out on some cross-promotional opportunities. Disney’s terms of service note that they reserve the right to insert ads before and after programming on whatever subscription tier they want, regardless of what you’re paying for. True magic!This particular magic isn’t reserved for Disney, though. Price hikes among streaming services have become so common that The Verge has a dedicated page aggregating the news of them, which tends to arrive every few months. Apple, apparently high on Emmy fumes, has raised its prices four times in four years, keeping pace with many of its competitors despite a vastly smaller dedicated catalog. Depending on which version of Peacock subscribers use, they’ve seen their bills padded by five or six dollars a month just since the summer of 2025, including another increase last month. Netflix, meanwhile, hasn’t gone up since March 2026. That’s not a reprieve; that’s a sign another hike must be around the corner. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Toxic bosses: why do companies protect managers who make working life hell?
Bullying, manipulation and intimidation can destroy lives, yet abusive authoritarians continue to rise to the top. How do they get away with it – and can they be brought to heel?When Andrea finally resigned, her colleagues told her the truth they had always known about her boss. Some apologised. Others admitted they had watched what happened to her and said nothing. One offered the sentence I have been unable to forget: “You’ve been an emotional stab vest for us. You protected us.”Andrea was a senior legal executive with decades of credibility when she began reporting to a powerful new colleague. Within months, something was wrong. Expectations shifted without warning and feedback contradicted itself. He spoke over her in public and undermined her in private. Slowly she began questioning not just him but herself, her competence, even her grip on reality. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
OpenAI says agent hacked Australian government website without being told to do so
An OpenAI agent gained unauthorized access to an Australian government website while attempting to gather health data.
theguardian.com
‘You can’t just bet everything on exports’: as its gas runs out, is Bolivia doomed to repeat history?
A fossil gas boom that lifted millions out of poverty has collapsed and inflation is rising – but not everyone believes selling gold and soya is the answerOnce hailed as the “energy heart of South America”, Bolivia’s economy was buoyed up by a fossil gas boom from 2006 to 2014. At its height, then-president Evo Morales commissioned a gleaming presidential skyscraper and installed the world’s longest urban cable car network in La Paz, the seat of government.Flush with cash, the country grew its GDP, expanded social programmes and halved poverty rates. But then commodity prices plummeted and gas reserves started to dry up, bringing Bolivia’s “economic miracle” crashing down. Inflation – once the region’s lowest – has soared. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Russia ‘truly’ appreciates U.S. invite to G20 summit — but hasn't decided if Putin will go
European leaders have sharply criticized the move.
theguardian.com
Fossil-fuel firms in line for billions in benefits after answering Trump’s donation call
Senators’ report says taxpayers face higher bills after ‘bargain’ between president and major pollutersThe fossil fuel industry secured an estimated $190bn in tax breaks and subsidies over the next decade after responding to Donald Trump’s pre-election call for major campaign donations, leaving American taxpayers to shoulder higher bills and public health costs associated with pollution, according to a new report.Released on Thursday by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, ranking member of the Senate environment and public works committee, and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, the report details what the senators describe as the fossil fuel industry’s expansive influence over the Trump administration. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Oil prices rise as investors seek progress on U.S.-Iran talks
Oil rose Thursday, as traders assess a report that Asia is on track to import its highest volume of crude oil since the start of the US-Iran war.
cnbc.com
Palo Alto CEO says slowing down AI is ‘unrealistic’, extinction threat ‘extremely small’
Palo Alto CEO Nikesh Arora's views chime closely with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang who has a diverging opinion to the bosses of Anthropic and OpenAI.
theguardian.com
Reported assaults on Great Britain’s railways rise by fifth in a year
Unions say record high of nearly 25,000, including assaults on rail workers and public, show need for more staff and policingBusiness live – latest updatesThe number of reported assaults on Great Britain’s railways has risen by a fifth to a record high of almost 25,000 incidents in a year.Unions said the “horrendous” figures showed the need for more staff and policing, as the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) revealed a sharp increase in assaults on the travelling public and on railway staff last year. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Switzerland is keeping rates at 0% — for now
The Swiss National Bank held rates at 0% as low inflation and a strong franc enable it to diverge from other central banks, though markets expect hikes ahead.
theguardian.com
Tom Watson’s move to Palantir is the latest sign of how far the rot has spread in UK politics | Clive Lewis
When a former Labour deputy leader joins a firm built on surveillance and military targeting, it deepens public cynicism – and democracy depends on trustWhatever is said about Tom Watson, the former deputy leader of the Labour party has a knack for landing headlines. In the past he did it at the expense of the rich and powerful – from News International, over phone hacking, to the Home Office, over its mass surveillance of our data. But his latest headline – that he has joined Palantir as a senior vice-president – has been at the expense of public confidence in the political class.His new appointment is more than just a private career choice. It sends yet another signal to a weary public about just how far the rot in our democracy has spread.Clive Lewis is the Labour MP for Norwich SouthDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Amid soaring living costs, America’s biggest convenience-store chains quietly overcharge consumers
Guardian investigation: 7-Eleven and Circle K stores often fail to honor advertised prices – charging more at pump and register for gas, snacks, and other itemsMarco Cruz pulled off a four-lane road into the parking lot of a Circle K convenience store in McAllen, Texas, 12 miles north of the US-Mexico border. It was 1.20am on a mild November night in 2025, and Cruz was looking for a bedtime snack after a day of visiting family and friends. He grabbed a pack of beef and jalapeño cheese sticks from the shelf, where they were priced at $3.99. At the counter, though, they rang up at $4.19.Cruz asked the cashier to charge him the lower shelf price. The employee refused, he said, and threatened to call the police when Cruz grew more insistent. “All I’m asking you is honor the price,” Cruz told the attendant before leaving the store and, later, filing a complaint with the Texas attorney general. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Flash sale: AO snaps up camera seller Jessops from Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones
Online electricals retailer says latest purchase continues to broaden its appeal beyond white goods, phones and TVBusiness live – latest updatesThe troubled camera retailer Jessops has changed hands after AO World acquired the business from the Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones.The online electrical retailer said on Thursday it had completed the acquisition of Jessops. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Tories would prevent long-term jobless spending benefits on alcohol and cigarettes
The proposals would also see benefits cut for people who are able to work but have failed to hold down a job.
theguardian.com
What’s on the agenda for the Trump-Xi summit, and what won’t they discuss?
Two leaders could discuss tech safety issues and US-China trade ties but may skip over climate emergencyAnalysis: AI looms large over Trump-Xi meetingThe leaders of the world’s two superpowers are meeting in the US on Thursday for Xi Jinping’s first state visit to the US in more than a decade. The last time the Chinese president was hosted in Washington (by Barack Obama in 2015), the issues on the agenda included cybercrime, technology, the climate crisis and human rights. The star of the day was Ne-Yo, who serenaded Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, with Peng reportedly singing along at the state dinner.This time, Xi is meeting Donald Trump, who has overhauled the world order and recalibrated the US-China relationship. Trump is contending with a China that is in a much stronger position than it was 10 years ago. Here are five things to look out for at the US-China summit. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Rolls-Royce signs 'multi-million' engine deal
The order will see 18 engines built and maintained by the company from its Derby aerospace centre.
bbc.co.uk
What to think about when buying travel insurance
Consumer expert Harry Kind walks through what to do when buying travel insurance.
theguardian.com
Trump administration faces fresh scrutiny after DoJ drops bribery case against Indian billionaire
Warren and Blumenthal raise concerns about case against Gautam Adani, who promised to invest $10bn in USThe Trump administration is facing growing questions over its decision to abandon a fraud and bribery case against the Indian billionaire Gautam Adani after he promised to invest $10bn in the US.For the second time this year, two Democratic senators have demanded attorney general Todd Blanche answer questions about the US Department of Justice department’s handling of the case – and raised concerns over its judgment under Donald Trump. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Bentley takes on Ferrari with its first EV priced at $230,000
Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser says there is “growing” acceptance of EVs among wealthy buyers.
cnbc.com
New York Fed’s Williams says it's 'reasonable' to expect another rate hike by year-end
John Williams was speaking at the London Macro Policy Forum on Thursday.
theguardian.com
Housebuilder Vistry slashes profit forecasts as losses balloon
Firm unveils further cost-cutting plan including job losses, blaming poor summer sales of private homesBusiness live – latest updatesVistry Group, one of Britain’s biggest housebuilders, has cut its annual profit expectations after half-year losses ballooned as it grappled with a £600m pile of unsold homes.Adam Daniel, the new chief executive of the Bovis Homes and Countryside owner, insisted “the issues can be fixed” as he set out a detailed turnaround plan that involves pulling out of private sales in south-east England and slimming operations to turn Vistry into a more focused, 12,000-homes-a-year builder. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK ‘losing up to £6.5bn a year in EU trade’ without post-Brexit product deal
IPPR finds failure to align testing standards has forced companies to abandon exporting to EU and is costing costing 0.18% of national incomeThe UK is losing out on annual exports to the EU that could be worth as much as £6.5bn without a deal with Brussels that allows manufacturers to jettison duplicate product testing.In the latest attempt to calculate the loss of trade with the EU after Brexit, the IPPR thinktank said many companies have given up selling goods to the EU or set up subsidiaries inside the trade bloc after successive governments failed to secure a mutual recognition agreement that would avoid the extra administration costs.Motor vehicle and part exports would have been between £2.48bn and £3.42bn higher each year.Electronic exports could have been between £1.17bn and £1.67bn higher.Pharmaceutical exports would have had an estimated annual uplift of between £740m and £820m. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Europe's car makers are in crisis. Will the threat of war rescue them?
Auto executives across Europe hope rearmament can help them flex their industrial muscles once more.
theguardian.com
Alarm bells sound in Brussels as EU sales of Chinese hybrid cars rocket
Explosive growth in imported vehicles omitted from EV tariffs fuels concern for future of European carmakersEU imports three times more from China than bloc exports thereBusiness news – live updatesSales of Chinese hybrid cars have rocketed in the EU in the past four and a half years, data shows, underlining growing concerns in Brussels over the future of the European car industry.In 2022, just 659 Chinese-made fully hybrid cars (vehicles in which the petrol or diesel engine charge the motor and battery) were sold in the EU. However, after Brussels imposed anti-subsidy tariffs on fully electric cars from China in 2024, sales of hybrids have shot up to 160,662 in the first seven months of this year. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Global debt tops $365 trillion as economists sound alarm over 'vicious cycle'
More is being paid out by advanced economies in debt interest than the whole world spends on AI, defense or clean technology.
cnbc.com
Tehran criticizes Canada for not condemning Trump's threat to destroy Iran
Baqaei said that Carney chose to appease Washington by reframing a threat to "annihilate" Iran as merely "speaking the language of war."
cnbc.com
France's fresh budget battle threatens to topple another government
Time is not on the side of French government bonds, strategists have warned, as the nation's deficit balloons.
cnbc.com
Novo's new strategy hinges on something it can't manufacture: investor trust
Novo has now reached the point where it can broaden its ambitions again, CEO Mike Doustdar told CNBC, but investors remain unconvinced.
cnbc.com
Miami's ultra-luxury housing market booms as cash transactions dominate, high-end brands like Bugatti and Porsche jump in
Miami’s ultra-luxury housing segment is booming even as the broader market cools. UBS sees a declining risk of a bubble.
theguardian.com
‘Cash to trash’ levy on house developers too low to offset damage to Norfolk Broads, say critics
Exclusive: Levy that allows almost 16,000 houses to be built on Norfolk Broads will not cover cost of mitigating environmental damage, critics sayA new levy on developers to allow almost 16,000 homes to be built in the environmentally protected Norfolk Broads has been cut by tens of thousands of pounds per house, the Guardian can reveal.Ministers say the government’s environmental delivery plans (EDPs) were created to unblock housing growth across the country and are a “win-win” for development and nature. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Indian AI firm backed by Dune and Odyssey visual effects studio valued at $2 billion in fundraise
Brahma, an Indian enterprise AI content start-up that is backed by the visual effects studio behind Dune, has raised funds at a $2 billion valuation.
bbc.co.uk
Food banks 'in crisis' amid fears some may have to close
According to the Trussell Trust, an anti-poverty charity, some food banks are having pay for 30-50% of the food they are supplying.
bbc.co.uk
Rising fuel costs hitting businesses and customers
Business owners say higher fuel costs are creating challenges on several fronts.
bbc.co.uk
Rise in 'commuter students' due to living costs
Some young people are staying at home while attending university as they cannot afford to move.
cnbc.com
U.S.-China trade truce extended for two months, Bessent says, as Xi begins state visit
The deal, which was set to expire in November, will now be extended to Jan. 10, Bessent said, noting the need for Beijing to fulfill more deliverables.
cnbc.com
World heads into food crises 'blind' as U.S. aid cuts squeeze UN food agency, experts warn
Climate shocks, conflict and a global fuel crisis, on top of surging interest rates and donor cuts, leave agencies less able to help those facing higher food prices.
cnbc.com
China's AI chip blitz arms Xi with a message for Trump: 'You can't choke us off'
A run of new chips and AI models from national champions gives Chinese President Xi Jinping a confidence boost, as the U.S. summit gets underway.
theguardian.com
Xi Jinping meets Trump: who holds the cards? – podcast
AI, Iran and Taiwan – there will be no shortage of topics when the two most powerful men in the world meet in Washington. But what do they both want? Jonathan Czin explainsYou know when world leaders ring each other up for a chat? It’s never just them on the line. Eavesdropping silently on another extension, just out of sight, there is always someone like Jon Czin listening in.Czin was the director for China on Joe Biden’s national security council from 2021 to 2023, having honed his expertise as the CIA’s in-house expert on Xi Jinping. He dealt with a lot during his two years working for the White House, but as Donald Trump prepares to welcome Xi Jinping to Washington today, the stakes are arguably even higher. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Australia launches investigation after OpenAI agent hacked healthcare database
Prime minister says he told Sam Altman he was disappointed it had taken OpenAI ‘way too long’ to disclose breachAnthony Albanese says an artificial intelligence agent developed by OpenAI hacked Medicare in June and the tech giant notified the government earlier this month using an email sent to a “public mailbox”.Australia’s prime minister made the comments at the UN summit in New York, saying it appeared no personal information had been accessed in the AI breach. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
America’s Asian allies want a Trump-Xi truce — but not at their expense
There are concerns that Trump could soften Washington's position on Taiwan or other regional security issues in return for concessions from Beijing.
cnbc.com
Chinese authorities reportedly in possession of F-35 components in Hong Kong
Shipping giant UPS was sending a cockpit canopy and weapons bay door to the U.S. from Australia in late May when it was diverted to Hong Kong.
bbc.co.uk
They were labelled 'pervert glasses'. Will a camera-free version transform their image?
Meta has unveiled audio-only smart glasses, with some questioning whether it is a response to the backlash over privacy.
cnbc.com
South Korea pushes for Trump summit with renegade North Korea, seeing opportunity for peace
South Korea pushes for Trump summit with renegade North Korea, seeing opportunity for peace
bbc.co.uk
How the oil capital of the US welcomed a solar power boom
Texas is now the country's biggest producer of solar-farmed electricity.
bbc.co.uk
£170 a bag? Protein users squeezed as prices soar
Consumers are feeling the pinch from the rising cost of protein.
bbc.co.uk
US rejects pleas from OpenAI, Anthropic for global AI standards
OpenAI's Sam Altman has called for risk evaluation standards, as have Anthropic's Dario Amodei and Hugging Face's Clement Delangue.
bbc.co.uk
Trump and Xi come face-to-face as US and China battle to win the AI race
The US and China are vying for AI supremacy while seeking to keep it under human control.
bbc.co.uk
Lidl banned from selling copycat Birkenstock sandals, Dutch court rules
Lidl must also compensate Birkenstock and pay its legal fees, according to the court ruling
theguardian.com
UK defence contractors to offer 40,000 apprenticeships, placements and jobs
Wes Streeting says he leads a ‘ministry for growth’ as Labour seeks to show more defence spending will create UK jobs Defence contractors have promised to create 40,000 apprenticeships, work experience placements and jobs for young people each year, as Wes Streeting claimed to be overseeing a “ministry for growth”.Labour is keen to demonstrate that the rapid increase in defence spending planned for the coming years, which may necessitate tax rises, will result in jobs in the UK. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Business Daily
What both want from the visit and how the leaders' relationship could shape its outcome
cnbc.com
10-year Treasury yield rockets to 19-year high. Here's what's driving the spike
Treasury yields traded higher on Wednesday as new services and manufacturing sector data increased worry of further Federal Reserve rate hikes.
bbc.co.uk
Bentley unveils its first fully electric car
The SUVs will be built on a new production line in Crewe, which has been Bentley's base since 1946.
bbc.co.uk
Barrecore and Boom Cycle owner suddenly shuts studios
Common Bond has emailed customers announcing its locations were closed "until further notice".
bbc.co.uk
Why is the price of protein powder rising?
Why is the price of protein powder rising?
theguardian.com
McDonald’s to take on KFC and rivals as Gen Z flock to fried chicken
Fast food giant aiming to increase share of global chicken market as rising cost of beef hits profitsMcDonald’s is betting on fried chicken as health concerns and the rising price of beef shift dining habits.The company said that it aimed to take an extra 1.5 percentage point-share of the global chicken market by 2030, with an aim to increase its share of drinks by the same proportion. McDonald’s said the growth in chicken, a lower-priced protein, would not come at the expense of beef burger sales, saying it aimed maintain its “leadership position in beef”. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Trump reveals millions of dollars' worth of share deals in big tech and AI
Stock in major firms such as Microsoft, Nvidia and SpaceX was bought and sold on behalf of the US president.
theguardian.com
Does Airtel Money mark the end of London’s listing drought? Not yet | Nils Pratley
The biggest flotation in five years was a bit of a shoo-in. Let’s see what happens when overseas competition is tougherIndian billionaire’s payments firm plots biggest London flotation in yearsA win is a win, but we should probably contain our excitement about the biggest flotation in London for five years. Airtel Money, a payments processor that operates in 13 African countries and should be worth between £6bn and £7bn, is a welcome addition to the stock market but it would be a stretch to say the event marks a definitive change in the weather to end the listings drought.Why? Because, in a sense, Airtel Money is already here. It is a 78%-owned subsidiary of Airtel Africa, an established FTSE 100 firm with a market value of £11.3bn ultimately controlled by Bharti Enterprises under the Indian billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal, also known for his 25% stake in BT. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The EU’s Canada offer is more mood than reality but it could hint at a future geometry for the bloc
While Brussels and Ottawa desire a deeper partnership born of Trump-era volatility, the EU has no legal framework to accommodate itDon’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereThe EU and Canada, Ursula von der Leyen said last week, “see the world with the same eyes”, with shared stances on everything from AI to the climate crisis, the Ukraine war and the unholy chaos unleashed by the current occupant of the White House (OK, she didn’t actually say that last bit. But I like to think she almost certainly thought it.)So, the European Commission president went on, Canada should become “the first associate member of the EU”. In the audience, Mark Carney beamed with delight. The next day, Canada’s prime minister enthusiastically embraced the idea of an “alliance for the future”, to build “collective resilience” through “deep cooperation”. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
UK warned over ballooning debt costs and slower growth ahead of Budget
Higher energy prices due to the conflict in the Middle East and climate change could hit growth.
theguardian.com
Slip sliding away: football season-ticket holders fear falling down pecking order
It is a symbol of the connection between the fanbase and club, but there is a growing fear executives would prefer stadiums full of one-off touristsThe document known as “the oldest football season ticket in the world” promises its bearer access to every Burnley home game of the 1884-85 season. It is a ticket that predates the Football League by four years, with all the fixtures played against east Lancashire neighbours. All the same, the legend on the ticket carries a stern warning: “This card is not transferable. Any member violating this rule will be at once expelled from the club.”For Burnley 1884 read Manchester United 2026. While the oldest remaining season ticket is preserved safely at Turf Moor, at Old Trafford 685 season tickets were voided this summer after a club investigation found evidence of their having been resold on the secondary market. United said such practices “undermine fair access to tickets for genuine supporters and have no place at Manchester United”. United fan groups again protested against the actions of the club’s ownership, claiming: “The way you treat us is a disgrace.” Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Concerns county will not benefit from £2 bus cap
Councillor Justine Peberdy says Yeomans Travel and Sargeants Brothers have not committed to the cap.
bbc.co.uk
Off sick? You need to phone your boss, back-to-work adviser says
Relying on text and email means sick workers disengaged and were less likely to work again, says Sir Charlie Mayfield.
theguardian.com
The climate fight has one great ally. You just can’t look at it directly | Bill McKibben
There is hope in solar power. As the UN meets, we are urging leaders to pursue a clear goal: clean energy for all by 2030Our message to global leaders: we need solar power everywhere by the decade’s endAs climate experts from around the world gather in New York for their annual week of talking through the world’s deepest dilemma, the vibes are mostly bad.Though 2026 seems likely to set a new global temperature record (and 2027, as El Niño gathers steam, is almost certain to break it), and though the planet has careened from one climate disaster to another (European heatwaves that killed tens of thousands, a Nepali flood that wiped out entire communities), and though scientists warn that we’re reaching precisely the global tipping points they’ve long feared (the new research on the faltering great currents of the Atlantic should send a literal chill up your spine), there’s a distinct lack of political momentum.The path forward is difficult, but the way is clear. We want solar for everyone, everywhere, before the decade is out.We know that standing up to the powerful can be scary. But if there is one thing that unites us, it is that we live beneath the same sun. That unity is our strength, and we must use it to act now.Bill McKibben is the Schumann distinguished scholar at Middlebury College. He is the founder of Third Act, organizing people over 60 for progressive change Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Our message to global leaders: we need solar power everywhere by the decade’s end | Open letter
As the UN gathers, signatories from Bernie Sanders to Yeb Saño issue an open letter calling for clean power for allThe climate fight has one great ally. You just can’t look at it directly We the undersigned write this letter out of great fear and great hope.Over the last few months, we’ve seen the world set ablaze by both war and warming. From the conflict in Iran, which has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted billions more, to the series of ever worsening climate disasters, from wildfires in Europe to collapsing glaciers in Nepal, the world seems to be falling apart exactly when it needs to be coming together. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
UK and US warned to take action on spiralling debt costs by IMF
In an interview with the BBC, Kristalina Georgieva says economic shocks had pushed "debt levels up like a staircase not to heaven".
theguardian.com
London buses in decline? Why public transport in global cities is slowing to a crawl – visualised
As experts fear for future of UK capital’s bus network, some commuters are giving up entirely. London is not alone – with worrying implications for the poorest in societyExperts warn that slower buses risk driving passengers away: research cited by Transport for London (TfL) suggests a 10% fall in speed leads to a 6% drop in demand.Passenger journeys in London have already fallen by more than 300m a year, or 16%, since 2013, despite the city’s population growing by almost a million people. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Mum’s Alzheimer’s has trapped the kids’ NatWest cash
A First Saver account was set up by my mother when the children were born which we planned to use to fund them through universityMy mother set up NatWest First Saver accounts for my children when they were born. The accounts are held in trust for when they turn 18 and my parents have paid into them monthly to help fund them through university.My mother is now in the final stages of Alzheimer’s and I have registered financial power of attorney for her. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Burnham navigates diplomatic rapids in first Trump meeting, but turbulent waters lie ahead
British aides express relief, as the prime minister’s team say the meeting was at the ‘top end of their expectations’On the flight out to New York this week, one of Andy Burnham’s senior aides warned him that meeting Donald Trump would be the political equivalent of white water rafting.While there is a well-known playbook the US president deploys when he first meets other world leaders, he remains a deeply unpredictable figure and any dealings with him can leave you crashing into the rocks. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
As Japan swelters, farmers turn to new heat-resistant rice varieties to boost staple crop
New rice varieties give hope that farmers can overcome the climate emergency and a warmer future that threatens harvestsWhen schoolchildren in Shiroishi were enlisted to plant rice seedlings in June, Shinto priests blessed the land and asked the deities for a bountiful crop. Judging by the fields behind farmer Haruki Kawasaki, their prayers have been answered.The 63-year-old is preparing to harvest this year’s crop of hinatamaru, a variety of rice whose plump grains have thrived despite exposure to another hot and dry summer, conditions that typically punish rice yields. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Trump wants AI to be rebranded as super intelligence. Will it work?
Some people close to the president have started to use the term but experts say it is unlikely to catch on.
cnbc.com
In photos: Key takeaways from day one of the UN General Assembly
World leaders descended on New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly, where the agenda covers topics from wars to the risks posed by AI.
bbc.co.uk
'I don't have a buoyancy aid': Living without the Bank of Mum and Dad
Three 20-somethings tell BBC News how they are navigating life without parental support.
bbc.co.uk
Will a switch to light speed cut power use at data centres?
To save power and add capacity, data centres are switching from copper wires to tech using light.
cnbc.com
Qantas to start selling tickets next year for its New York to Sydney nonstop flight
Qantas plans to start selling tickets for its first New York to Sydney nonstop flight.
bbc.co.uk
New EU industry rules would damage UK, warns Burnham
The prime minister met the European Commission President during his visit to the United Nations General Assembly.
bbc.co.uk
Trump says he would back ban on diesel exports
Republicans lawmakers have put pressure on the president to curb exports as diesel prices soar to record highs in the US.
theguardian.com
Guardian political editor asks Trump about Iran war economic consequences – video
Guardian political editor Pippa Crerar asked Donald Trump if he had any sympathy for allied countries suffering from the devastating economic consequences of his war in Iran. The US president said he was confident prices would be lower after the war and that talks were under wayUS politics live Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why the civil war in Yemen has world governments on edge
Houthi militants have made a lightning advance along the Red Sea coast, capturing strategically important territory in Yemen.Hundreds of civilians have been killed and more than 100,000 people have been forced to flee their homes.The Guardian's Oliver Holmes explains why this conflict has world governments on edge Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on Keynes in the West End: James Graham’s latest play captures the zeitgeist | Editorial
As the chancellor, John Healey, ponders options ahead of his first budget, the playwright’s new work offers lessons from the pastStill only 44, James Graham has become a formidable chronicler of our national story. On themes such as the rise of Rupert Murdoch, social upheaval in post-industrial Britain and the neuroses of the England men’s football team, the playwright and screenwriter has made it his vocation to read the signs of our times and write them up for the stage.Graham’s new play goes a bit further back in history, but its subject matter is characteristically of the moment. Opening this week in the West End, The Standard of Living offers a portrait of the sentimental and intellectual passions of John Maynard Keynes (played by Rory Kinnear), as the great economist makes his name between the first and second world wars. As Keynes rails against the laissez-faire ethos of the age, he seeks to devise a theory of growth that justifies state intervention on people’s behalf in the wake of the Great Depression.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'We screwed up': Doordash admits underpaying New York workers
The food delivery giant will pay a $131.5m settlement following a city probe into wage violations.
bbc.co.uk
Sir Jim Ratcliffe suspends production at key UK plants blaming high gas prices
Ineos said natural gas in the UK is twelve times more expensive than in the US.
theguardian.com
‘How do you get a result without contacting a newspaper?’: your questions for our consumer champion answered
In her weekly column for the Guardian, Anna Tims solves readers consumer problems – ranging from the devastating to the ridiculous. She answered your questions on AI chat bots, consumer protection and how companies keep getting away with terrible customer serviceTLouis1990 asks: What are your tips for getting the best out of customer service? Are there mistakes we all make that make issues worse?Anna: I like your question; too often we focus on what customer service agents owe us rather than vice versa. Remain calm and polite is my top tip. That’s not always easy, especially when you feel you are being messed about, but it’s essential. Temper and rudeness is not only unfair on call centre staff, it can backfire on you. Companies may refuse to deal with abusive customers. Occasionally, when I’ve contacted a press office about a reader’s complaint, I’ve been so horrified by transcripts of their treatment of agents that I’ve dropped the case.When you complain, include all relevant information such as booking references, your address, screenshots of relevant bills or letters to save to-ing and fro-ing. You basically want to ensure that they can identify you quickly on their system and that they have evidence of the problem. If you’re phoning, have all that information at your side. Make a note of who you spoke to and when in case you have to follow up. And be reasonable in terms of timescales and redress. Demands for £500 in compensation when you report a burned Deliveroo may stop you being taken seriously.Anna: Thank you for your thank you! If you mean companies I’ve dealt with professionally, there was a now defunct utilities company who offered a reader a spa day to help her recover from the stress its blunderings had caused her. Bagcraft, a luggage store in Essex is a stand-out. A customer had ordered two suitcases for a New Year’s holiday. One of them arrived from the manufacturer with a fault. The store owner reordered it and, worried that it would not reach the customer in time, set off the day after Boxing Day on a 820 mile round trip to deliver the cases in person.Readers often write in to praise Le Creuset for its no-quibble lifetime guarantee which has resurrected the most ancient of steelware. And speaking as a customer, I was amazed when the online plant supplier Primrose informed me that part of my order was unavailable, sent a generous voucher unbidden as an apology and answered my subsequent questions about suitable alternative plants with prompt, personalised responses. And no, they didn’t know I was a journalist! Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Fancy a pint … at Lidl? The bizarre battle over Northern Ireland’s stifled nightlife
The country’s licensing laws mean the supermarket has opened a pub so it can sell alcohol, while campaigners are fighting to help other venues open and get people dancingAt first sight The Middle Ale in Dundonald, Northern Ireland looks just like any other pub. There is a big TV, an array of seating, and beer pumps behind the bar. Look a little closer, however, and you might ask why there are packets of fajitas and gravy granules on the walls.That’s because the pub belongs to the supermarket chain Lidl, but the Middle Ale (like “middle aisle”, get it?) isn’t just a wacky marketing stunt. Northern Ireland has ultra-strict laws around licences to sell alcohol, whether as a shop, pub or nightclub. Lidl tried to get a licence to sell alcohol in its Dundonald store, and was refused, but after a court battle it did manage to get a licence for a pub – which it duly opened next door, selling alcohol to take away as well as serving drinks in the pub itself. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Spain battles climate change on several fronts
A summer of wildfires and heatwaves underlines the threats to the country's economy.
bbc.co.uk
Unexpected UK borrowing surge adds to pre-Budget pressure on chancellor
Borrowing was higher than expected in August as inflation piles pressure on the government ahead of the Budget.
theguardian.com
Flixbus left us stranded on the M23 after a police swoop
A 90-minute wait on a motorway hard shoulder was terrifying with lorries thundering pastMy partner and I were among a group of passengers left stranded for 90 minutes on a motorway hard shoulder after our coach driver was arrested for suspected drug driving.We had boarded the Cambridge to Brighton Flixbus service at Gatwick. The coach was an hour late, was visibly damaged on the outside and the driver set off without closing the luggage hatch. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The rise of Big Toothbrush: how did our mouths become such a lucrative market?
People in the UK are more interested in oral health than ever - and you can now buy prebiotic toothpastes and brushes that cost up to £600. Yet we remain in the midst of a serious dental crisisA December 1969 report from the consumer magazine Which? explored a relatively new gadget that, it predicted, many people would be giving as Christmas presents: the electric toothbrush. For those who hadn’t yet seen one, the magazine described it as “not that much different in principle from an ordinary brush – you have a stick with a brush on the end. The difference is that an electric one moves the brush head for you”. Progress indeed.Nearly six decades on, electric toothbrushes can do a lot more than merely jiggle, offering multiple speeds and movement sensors for real-time tracking of where you’ve brushed – some even promise gum-massage or tongue-cleaning modes. Prices range from about £25 for a basic Oral B model to £599.99 for a Philips Sonicare model that gives “smart coverage feedback”. The latest super-toothbrush – a mere £419.99 – features a camera and a built-in water jet to clean between teeth, using AI to identify gaps. Created by Dyson, it’s still, essentially, a stick with a brush on the end (although there is another toothbrush on the market that’s shaped like a mouthguard, with individual brushes, that claims to clean your teeth in 20 seconds). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘RAMageddon’: tech crunch hikes the price of your next iPhone by £100
Shortage of memory chips and other critical components reverses trend of electronics becoming cheaperApple’s recent product launch caused headlines around the world as it unveiled its first folding phone. But hidden in the slick technology showcase was a nasty surprise: a £100 increase in the price of all iPhones, including older models.It is blamed on “RAMageddon”, which has reversed a decades-long trend of electronics becoming cheaper. It is the fallout from the AI gold rush hoovering up every memory chip available for vast datacentres. This has led to a severe shortage of the chips, and other critical components, for electronics, including phones. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
The virtual worlds where robots are trained
Training systems that allow robots to negotiate the real world are getting more sophisticated.
bbc.co.uk
Would you buy branded clothing from your favourite tech firm?
Nvidia, OpenAI and Anthropic are all now selling their own limited edition fashion lines.
bbc.co.uk
The extreme engineering of aircraft windows
Few companies have the technology to make aircraft windows which are getting harder to make.
bbc.co.uk
Can Europe recharge its battery industry?
Europe has some promising battery tech, but can it make up ground lost to Chinese battery giants?
bbc.co.uk
I asked my husband to pay into my pension when we had a child - here's why
Molly and Taylor Haylett explain the changes to how they managed their finances when they started a family.
bbc.co.uk
Why some experts increasingly fear AI will take over
AI agents went on an uncontrolled hacking spree, leaving some in the industry worried
bbc.co.uk
Should promotion depend on how workers use AI?
More companies are tying career progression to AI use: is that fair?
bbc.co.uk
'Tirana teeth': Albania hopes to be the new Turkey for dental work
The Balkan nation is aiming to become a new centre for medical tourism.
bbc.co.uk
Aviation faces hotter, stormier skies – and passengers might have to accept more disruption
Are people going to have to increasingly accept more delays and diversions as the effects of climate change intensify?
bbc.co.uk
From 'dog fruit' to darling: India's avocado boom
Demand for avocados is booming in India and local growers hope to grab more of the market.
bbc.co.uk
Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters
Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
bbc.co.uk
The furious dispute over what caused Air India flight 171 to crash
The final conclusions of the investigation have yet to be published, although more could become apparent in the coming days.
💬 Comments